US 160 Wolf Creek Pass Fiber Optic Project begins next phase on July 8

Travel Advisory

July 1, 2024 - Southwestern Colorado - Fiber line will provide high-tech resources for safer travel
An installation crew pulls fiber optic cable through recently buried conduit
During the 2023 work season, an installation crew pulls fiber optic cable through recently buried conduit along US 160 Wolf Creek Pass east of Pagosa Springs.

Southwest Colorado - The US Highway 160 fiber optic installation project, between Pagosa Springs and the east side of Wolf Creek Pass, will resume work on Monday, July 8. The project takes place between Mile Points 144 to MP 174 on US 160.

To date, 169,000 linear feet (32 miles) of conduit, 42,000 linear feet (8 miles) of electrical conductor, 113 manholes, and 160 pull boxes have been placed between the ski area to Pagosa Springs city limits along with the fiber installation.

Construction activities for the 2024 season will include the installation of an overhead variable message sign, installation of new guardrails, installation of cable racks (or cable supports) within manholes, repairing damaged conduit, installation of variable speed limit signs, installation of new closed-circuit cameras and installation of a new weather monitoring station. Completion of the project is scheduled for late fall of 2024.

“The fiber optic cable will connect with existing fiber that was installed in 2017 along a 16-mile stretch of the US 160 mountain corridor from Wolf Creek Pass east tunnel to the community of South Fork,” explained Julie Constan, CDOT Regional Transportations Director. “The project will provide additional safety through the use of high-tech equipment and signs to warn all Wolf Creek Pass travelers about changing road and weather conditions, enforced lowered speeds and the westside hairpin turn where many crashes have occurred.”

Traffic Impacts

  • Daytime work hours range from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday
  • Vehicles will be reduced to a single-lane, alternating traffic intermittently in either direction
  • Lane closures, guided by flaggers, will have up to 15-minute delays
  • The speed limit will be reduced to 40 mph through the work zone

Project Information

For additional information about this project:

Know Before You Go

Travelers are urged to “know before you go.” Gather information about weather forecasts, anticipated travel impacts and current road conditions before hitting the road. CDOT and other resources include: